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My love for fast cars dates back prior to Gran Turismos release on the PlayStation 1, where friends and I would build Supras and RX7’s in game when we weren’t taking our civics to the beaches to show off..
Fast forward 20 years and here I am.. still building mazdas and toyotas from the same era.. This one started as an automatic, but I converted it to a 6 speed for ~$400 in parts including a good engine.
I had a little hiccup from the Pilot bearing not seating properly, but other than that the car drives like a dream. Still needs some exhaust work to be 100%
I will continue updating the status and price of things as things progress here. Thanks for joining me!
total expenses including car: ($1,665)
'04 mazda rx8 chassis w/ blown 4port: $480
'04 mazda rx8 6 speed manual transmission: $150
'04 mazda rx8 4port core engine: $150
eBay 6puck clutch kit $200
RB Lightweight flywheel $150
'04 mazda rx8 clutch pedal assm: $80
'04 mazda rx8 pilot bearing and seal x2: $25 '06 mazda rx8 manual gauge cluster and ecu: $50 use your stock automatic cluster and ecu
AUTOZONE high kwatt starter: $200
18" racingline wheels with NITTO NEOGEN tires: $180
AEM wideband: $free
OEM carbon fiber drive shaft: $free
Last edited by marcjj; 06-02-2022 at 11:37 AM.
Reason: eatadick
I'm taking my time this round, detailing the engine bay and making sure everything is in working (factory spec) condition. I got a set of Nitto Neogen 18'' tires for $180 WITH a set of wheels. I only bought them for the tires but I can deal with the "fast and furious" wheels for now.
I’ve got 2 brand new Bridgestone Potenza 17” tires if anyone wants them. Pickup in Jacksonville FL
Got the transmission and engine ready to drop in. I'm doing some detail work/painting the engine bay due to a few surface rust areas. I already took the carpet out and fixed all the rust in the floor board and behind the rear seats and plastics. I also sanded and painted the bar and brackets behind the dash! NO RUST ON MY bAbY!
also, I will try my best to keep the #1 post updated with a detailed list of the parts, cost and my overall expense for the project. the engine runs great for what I paid. really hoping the pilot bearing is in there good and lasts!!!
Made a dust shield for the open area from the auto starter. Also did a little work on the interior. Mainly waiting for the weekend for the swap so I have some help.
I also made sure to clean and grease everything this time. I think my passenger side brake line is leaking as well, so i'll be on that tomorrow as well.
Yeah It runs and drives great. No problems cranking it up, hot or cold. Needs a midpipe badly. The open header driving has my ears humming after long rides.
also got a center display from a newer rx8 at the junk yard. It looks red vs. the orange on ‘04-07 models.
my old display was badly sun damaged. The sun is notorious on these displays
Thank you for sharing this! All I’ve ever read on here is that going from a 4-port to a 6-port couldn’t be done or it would be tremendously difficult and not worth the time etc etc. I can find blown 4-port S1 cars all day long for almost nothing but 6-ports are more expensive and get taken quicker. If you don’t mind me asking, where are you getting a 6-port core for that price?! That’s AMAZING!
I thought the same thing but then every once in a while I stumble on high-value posts like yours and it renews my faith in the forum! It’s criminal the amount of performance you get relative to dollars spent on these cars now in 2022. I bought my car three months ago for 1K with 80,000 original miles and a “blown” engine. Engine was fine. I was ecstatic but in a way I’m also mad that such an incredible car is viewed as such a turd by people who refuse to learn or read anything. It boggles my mind.
I thought the same thing but then every once in a while I stumble on high-value posts like yours and it renews my faith in the forum! It’s criminal the amount of performance you get relative to dollars spent on these cars now in 2022. I bought my car three months ago for 1K with 80,000 original miles and a “blown” engine. Engine was fine. I was ecstatic but in a way I’m also mad that such an incredible car is viewed as such a turd by people who refuse to learn or read anything. It boggles my mind.
4 port still runs great. No problems starting and clean oil changes. I started premixing a little heavier (1oz to 1g petro) and I leave the oil dip stick out so I don’t get condensation build up anymore. Super clean oil after 3,000 miles 👍
One of my only complaints about this car is the built in climate control with the oem radio faceplate. The s2 dash harness was improved in this aspect.
And the mpg aren’t great, AT ALL. Going from a 35mpg car; it feels like I need a $20 for gas to go anywhere. $40+ if I hit the interstate for any time. Much different than my little daewoo hatchback.
Honestly this car is an incredible deal even if were just a rolling chassis. For example, the rear suspension is a multi-link setup which is very unique. The weight distribution on this car is also nearly perfect. When I bought mine I knew the MPG wasn't going to be great but I figured that my cost of entry was so low that even at 16-18MPG I was still coming out way ahead. I'm sure you feel the same way yeah? You can buy a lot of tanks of gas before you're anywhere close to what someone else bought their sports car for. I'm actually planning to buy a second one of these so I can pull the motor and install a lithium polymer battery pack just to see what that's like. Again, at $500-$1,000 for a chassis like this, I would buy five if I had the garage space available haha. I love the rotary engine and I think it gets LOTS of undeserved hatred, but for me I loved the chassis and suspension first and then the engine second. So many cool things can be done with the RX8 as a blank canvas.
Honestly this car is an incredible deal even if were just a rolling chassis. For example, the rear suspension is a multi-link setup which is very unique. The weight distribution on this car is also nearly perfect. When I bought mine I knew the MPG wasn't going to be great but I figured that my cost of entry was so low that even at 16-18MPG I was still coming out way ahead. I'm sure you feel the same way yeah? You can buy a lot of tanks of gas before you're anywhere close to what someone else bought their sports car for. I'm actually planning to buy a second one of these so I can pull the motor and install a lithium polymer battery pack just to see what that's like. Again, at $500-$1,000 for a chassis like this, I would buy five if I had the garage space available haha. I love the rotary engine and I think it gets LOTS of undeserved hatred, but for me I loved the chassis and suspension first and then the engine second. So many cool things can be done with the RX8 as a blank canvas.
I was thinking about an EV conversion too! It would make the best of both worlds. It’s the best handling car I’ve owned. I got my DSC and EPS working recently too, and wow, what a difference. I still have traction control light on and abs light. Maybe a bad wheel sensor
02-14-2022, 09:50 AM
